New Brown’s Ranch Trails

Desert Foothills Mountain Bike Association continues its advocacy work with the City of Scottsdale on the development of a broader spectrum of trail types in the Brown’s Ranch area of the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

We just completed a DFMBA sponsored four-day visit from renowned trail consultant Woody Keen. Monday morning a review meeting was held including nearly 20 people from DFMBA, IMBA, City of Scottsdale staff, McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commissioners and the trail building contractors.

As a result of DFMBA advocacy, the City of Scottsdale is exploring plans for a broader spectrum of trail types that will appeal to a more diverse set of users.

Details are still in the works, but as mountain bikers move further out from the main trailheads, they should expect some advanced technical trails and more open flowing trails.

Coinciding with the trail evaluation weekend, the City opened the beautiful new Coyote Canyon trail, which connects to the northern section of the Granite Mountain Loop Trail. A temporary intersection sign is in place.

The Coyote Canyon trail winds through granite boulder covered desert, past a double crested Saguaro and makes a surprising and challenging drop into Coyote Canyon. You exit the canyon via a sandy wash and then an old 4×4 road leads southeast back to the Dove Valley Trail.

Continuing in the Northeast section of the Preserve, the 136th St. Express trail has been extended north to the Preserve boundary and the Cow Poke Trail has been extended east to 136th Street.

Desert Foothills Mountain Bike Association is dedicated to building, preserving and advocating for mountain bike trails in the North Phoenix Valley. Please consider joining DFMBA and/or making a donation to help us advocate for more great mountain bike rides!